Spring Band Concert

Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Click Here For Livestream of the Concert

Good evening, and welcome! We are so glad you have joined us for this special night of music. Tonight’s concert explores the theme of light and dark—two forces that shape our world, our emotions, and our experiences. Through music, we will journey through moments of struggle, reflection, and ultimately, hope.

In life, darkness can take many forms — uncertainty, hardship, fear — but light always shines through. As musicians, we use sound to paint this contrast, moving from shadows into brilliance. But beyond the notes on the page, we are reminded of a deeper truth: Jesus Christ is the light of the world. No matter how dark things may seem, His light is constant, guiding us with love, grace, and redemption.

As you listen tonight, we invite you to reflect on this journey of light and darkness, not just in music but in your own life. May the bright moments bring you joy, and may the darker ones remind you that light is never far away. Thank you for being here, for supporting these students, and for sharing in this powerful musical experience.

Enjoy the concert!

Danny Hafenstein
Alicia Mengel ('19)
Megan Buschkopf ('00)
Quinten Petersen

Concert Order

Rosters

3 O’Clock Percussion

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Luminescence – Nathan Daughtrey

The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) — the ethereal display of colored lights shimmering across the night sky — are the result of electrons colliding with the upper reaches of Earth's atmosphere. Luminescence is the composer’s musical interpretation of this beautiful natural phenomenon.

5 O’Clock Jazz

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Samba ti Kaye – Mark Taylor

Samba Ti Kaye is an energetic and exciting piece that blends Latin American and Caribbean musical styles. The title roughly translates to "Samba of the Small House," reflecting the dance-like, rhythmic nature of the piece. Composer Mark Taylor takes inspiration from samba, a lively Brazilian dance style, and infuses it with a driving percussion groove and syncopated melodies that make the music feel vibrant and full of life.

Throughout the piece, you’ll hear bold brass lines, playful woodwind flourishes, and an infectious rhythm section that keeps everything moving. The music shifts between moments of intensity and lighter, more playful sections, creating an engaging experience for both performers and listeners.

Samba Ti Kaye is a celebration of rhythm and melody, making it a fun and exciting addition to tonight’s program. We hope you enjoy this lively and energetic performance!

String Ensemble

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Finlandia – J. Sibelius, arr. Roy Phillippe

Finlandia by Jean Sibelius is one of the composer’s most iconic works, embodying the national spirit of Finland. Composed in 1899, it was originally part of a symphonic suite protesting political oppression. The piece’s soaring melodies, particularly in the famous theme, evoke feelings of strength and hope. Sibelius uses rich harmonies and striking contrasts to paint a musical portrait of struggle and triumph. Finlandia remains a powerful anthem of resilience and pride, and tonight, we honor its emotional depth and significance, celebrating both the music and the spirit it represents.
Leap of Faith – R. Sabien

Beginning with a solo introduction invoking a Celtic lament, it morphs into a driving rock pulse of 3+3+2. Unlike most rock tunes, there is no need for drums, guitar, or piano as those roles have been assigned entirely to the strings. So take the leap!

Saxophone Ensemble

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Mississippi Rag – W.H. Krell arr. David J. Gardner

Written by William H. Krell in 1897, Mississippi Rag is considered one of the first published ragtime pieces. Originally composed for piano, this lively and syncopated tune captures the joyful spirit of early American ragtime music. In this arrangement for saxophone ensemble, the bright melodies and infectious rhythms come to life with rich harmonies and playful interaction between parts. The piece showcases the saxophone’s ability to swing and dance, making for a fun and toe-tapping performance. Sit back and enjoy this classic slice of American musical history!

5 O’Clock Percussion

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Nightshade – Jessica Flannigan

Floating between beautiful and deadly, the ﬂowering plants of the Nightshade family range from common vegetation to highly toxic forms. As such, this piece pulls the listener back and forth between a major and minor feel, with dark moments bleeding into light.

Brass Ensemble

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Three Pieces from "Water Music," Movements 1-2 – G.F. Handel, arr. Robert King

George Frideric Handel’s Water Music, originally composed in 1717 for a royal procession on the River Thames, is a lively and celebratory work. This brass ensemble arrangement captures the grandeur and elegance of the original, with the first movement, Allegro, featuring bold fanfares, and the second movement, Air, offering a lyrical contrast. Robert King’s adaptation highlights the rich textures of the brass section, bringing Handel’s regal and timeless music to life through vibrant brass sound, evoking the spirit of the Baroque era’s royal splendor.

Woodwind Ensemble

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Mock Morris – Percy Grainger, arr. Aric Branchfield

Composed in 1910, Mock Morris is a delightful example of Percy Grainger’s fascination with English folk traditions and his unique approach to instrumental writing. Though inspired by Morris dance — a traditional form of English folk dance — Grainger’s work is not a direct transcription of folk melodies but rather an original composition crafted in a folk-like style.

True to Grainger’s compositional voice, Mock Morris is rhythmically buoyant and melodically vibrant, filled with interplay between voices and a driving energy that propels the music forward. The piece’s playful charm and colorful textures make it an enduring favorite in both chamber and wind band settings.

3 O’Clock Jazz

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Blues in the Closet – Oscar Pettiford, arr. Mark Taylor

Oscar Pettiford, one of the pioneers of bebop bass, composed Blues in the Closet as a compact yet sophisticated 12-bar blues. First recorded in the 1950s, the piece exemplifies the seamless blend of swing and bebop, with a catchy melody and driving rhythm. Originally written for bass and piano, it has since become a jazz standard, performed by countless musicians in various settings. With its playful yet refined character, Blues in the Closet captures the essence of mid-century jazz — cool, elegant, and deeply rooted in the blues tradition.
Struttin with some Barbecue – Louis Armstrong, arr. Mike Tomaro

Composed by Lil Hardin Armstrong and popularized by Louis Armstrong, Struttin’ with Some Barbecue is a jazz classic first recorded in 1927. The piece features a lively melody, infectious swing, and showcases Armstrong’s groundbreaking trumpet improvisation. His virtuosic solos and playful phrasing helped define early jazz, making this tune a staple in the repertoire. Over the years, Struttin’ with Some Barbecue has remained a favorite for jazz musicians, capturing the joyful spirit of New Orleans swing. In this setting in particular, look for the various ways solois is featured. There is a section where each of the three sections plays a different main idea at the same time. Later on, there is an extended unison solo, and finally there is a section that calls for all the musicians to improvise at the same time.

~ Brief Intermission ~

Symphonic Band

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Illumination – David Maslanka

As the opening to the Symphonic Band portion of tonight’s program, Illumination by David Maslanka serves as a bold and reflective introduction. Known for his deeply expressive and meditative compositional style, Maslanka crafts a piece that balances lyricism with moments of intensity, drawing the listener into a world of introspection and energy. The work’s flowing lines and powerful harmonies gradually build toward a radiant conclusion, symbolizing a journey from darkness to light. Illumination sets the stage for the expressive depth and dynamic range of the wind band, preparing us for the music to come.
This Cruel Moon – John Mackey

This piece is an adaptation of the middle movement of Wine-Dark Sea: Symphony for Band. The full symphony tells the tale of Odysseus and his journey home following his victory in the Trojan War. But Odysseus' journey would take as long as the war itself. Homer called the ocean on which Odysseus sailed a wine-dark sea, and for the Greek king it was as murky and disorienting as its name; he would not find his way across it without first losing himself.

This Cruel Moon is the song of the beautiful and immortal nymph Kalypso, who finds Odysseus near death, washed up on the shore of the island where she lives all alone. She nurses him back to health, and sings as she moves back and forth with a golden shuttle at her loom. Odysseus shares her bed; seven years pass. The tapestry she began when she nursed him becomes a record of their love.

But one day Odysseus remembers his home. He tells Kalypso he wants to leave her, to return to his wife and son. He scoffs at all she has given him. Kalypso is heartbroken.

And yet, that night, Kalypso again paces at her loom. She unravels her tapestry and weaves it into a sail for Odysseus. In the morning, she shows Odysseus a raft, equipped with the sail she has made and stocked with bread and wine, and calls up a gentle and steady wind to carry him home. Shattered, she watches him go; he does not look back.
Chasing Sunlight – Cait Nishimura

Chasing Sunlight by Cait Nishimura is a vibrant and evocative composition that captures the feeling of pursuing light, both literally and metaphorically. Inspired by the way sunlight shifts and dances across the landscape, the piece reflects the beauty of change and the passage of time. Through flowing melodies and dynamic rhythms, Nishimura takes the listener on a journey from the calm of dawn to the energy of midday, illustrating the fleeting yet constant nature of sunlight. The piece explores a balance between moments of serenity and bursts of energy, creating a sense of hope and renewal. Chasing Sunlight is a celebration of light’s ability to inspire, uplift, and bring warmth to the world around us.
Gilded Morning – John Wasson

When Morning Gilds the Skies is a well known hymn that traces its origins to 18th-century Germany. The text first appeared in 1828 in the Katholisches Gesangbuch written in German as Beim frühen Morgenlicht. The hymn is a poetic meditation on praising God throughout the day, from dawn to dusk.

The English translation most widely used today was completed by Edward Caswall, an English priest and hymn writer, in the mid-19th century. The tune commonly associated with it, Laudes Domini, was composed by Joseph Barnby in 1868, and this piece by John Wasson, beginning with the sounds of nature and creation, grows and builds, blossoming into a beautiful statement of the theme with majestic brass, powerful percussion, and warm, expressive woodwinds.

Wind Ensemble

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With Wings as Eagles – Benjamin Dean Taylor

Program notes courtesy of the composer:

This is the first commission in which I was asked to prominently feature a hymn tune. I’m honored and grateful to be able to share my faith in Jesus Christ through my music in such an overt manner. However, I found it impossible to choose between two of my favorite hymns, “Praise to the Lord The Almighty” and “Be Still My Soul.” So I used both! The imagery found in one verse of “Praise to the Lord The Almighty” especially caught my attention. It speaks of us being carried by the Lord as if on eagle’s wings. This phrase comes from the following passage in Isaiah:
"Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, nighter is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength . . . But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:28-31).

This scripture has great personal meaning for me as I have felt the Lord’s sustenance many times during my life. The music is designed to reflect the emotions of frustration, depression, and grief when faced with life’s difficulties and trials, contrasted with the feelings of jubilant praise and wonder when reflecting on God’s power to provide deliverance. It is my prayer that each of us can remember the times we have felt carried by the Lord —soaring above life’s storms “with wings as eagles.”

This piece first premiered at the 2019 WELS National Band Festival, hosted at WLHS.
Night on Fire – John Mackey

Night on Fire is not here to tiptoe in politely. This piece is an explosion of rhythm, intensity, and unrelenting drive. Composed as the fiery conclusion to Mackey’s larger suite The Soul Has Many Motions, it’s a relentless, high-velocity dance powered by asymmetrical grooves and blistering percussion. Influenced by Balkan brass bands, the music twists and turns unpredictably, demanding raw energy from the performers and refusing to let the audience sit still.

But Night on Fire is just one facet of The Soul Has Many Motions, a work that explores a wide emotional spectrum—from haunting lyricism to moments of pure, uninhibited joy. Tonight, we ignite the stage with its wildest movement. Buckle up.
At Morning’s First Light – David Gillingham

At Morning’s First Light by David Gillingham reflects the calm and beauty of dawn. Composed in 2005, the piece starts with quiet, flowing melodies that gradually build in intensity, symbolizing the arrival of daylight. Gillingham’s use of harmony and rhythm portrays the peaceful transition from night to morning, creating a sense of renewal and hope. The work captures the quiet moments at the beginning of the day, offering a peaceful and reflective experience.
Havendance – David Holsinger

David Holsinger's first child, daughter Haven, was the inspiration for this 1983 composition. Its driving rhythms represent the energy of an eight year old, who was constantly dancing and twirling around the house, dreaming of being a ballerina. The composition undergoes several variations in style, but it is always filled with energy. Some passages evoke the image of a single dancer, with solo pirouettes and leaps; these light efforts grow to draw in the full dance company with an unrelenting, underlying rhythm. Havendance is the first of three dancesongs honoring the composer's children; Nilesdance and Graysondance reflect the diverse personalities of his two sons.

With Havendance, Holsinger captures the essence of movement and joy, making it a fitting and vibrant addition to tonight’s program.
Waltz No. 2 – Dimitri Shostakovich, arr. Michael Brown

Mass Band with 8th Grade Members of the Jr. Viking Band Program

Dmitri Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2 from his Jazz Suite No. 2 is a lively and captivating piece that blends the elegance of a waltz with the energy of jazz. Composed in 1938, this work is renowned for its catchy rhythm, sweeping melodies, and unforgettable charm.

Tonight, we conclude the concert with this vibrant piece, featuring not only the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band but also the talented 8th-grade members of the Jr. Viking Band. This collaboration highlights the unity and spirit of music, as students of varying levels come together to bring Shostakovich’s music to life.

With its joyful and whimsical character, Waltz No. 2 serves as the perfect finale, capturing the energy and excitement of the concert’s closing moments. The combined effort of these musicians creates a powerful and dynamic performance, showcasing the beauty of collaboration and the bright future of these young performers.

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Brass Ensemble

Micah Broekema
Micah Buschkopf
Eliana Enslen
Isabelle Hatzung
Annalise Kuehn
Vaughn Miller
Kellan O'Connell
Tyler Poston
Nathan Redfield
Lucas Rimpel
Henry Schapekahm
3 O’Clock Jazz Band

Abram Baade
Anaya Britton
Micah Buschkopf
Atticus Delwiche
Tommy Doerr
Amos Ebeling
Ben Fuhrmann
Isaiah Harris
Lilian Hatzung
Lincoln Hatzung
Elina Hofer
Riley Kubicki
Annalise Kuehn
Emi Kuno
Vaughn Miller
Thomas Moldenhauer
Grace Moudry
Conner Poston
Tyler Poston
Aaron Seavert
Henry Schapekahm
Elliot Sinclair
Gabe Uttech
3 O’Clock Percussion

Kaden Archer
Abram Baade
Emaline Bauer
Ella Bollmeier
Micah Buschkopf
Alejandro Gutierrez
Isabelle Hatzung
Lilian Hatzung
Lincoln Hatzung
Levi Konop
Annalise Kuehn
Jacob Nault
Conner Poston
Tyler Poston
Kady Ross
Bethany Stroh
Aaron Sun
5 O’Clock Jazz Band

Brody Ban
Micah Broekema
Nico Carter
Maelee Darling
Avery Derkowski
Ellie Enslen
Mary Hahm
Ryan Handeland
Isabelle Hatzung
Lemuel Holtzman
Joseph Lampe
Talia Meister
Kellan O'Connell
Zion Porter-Lewis
Gabriel Rose
Kady Ross
Hayden Rouse
Oliver Schapekahm
Josh Seavert
Joelle Steiner
Jocelyn Uttech
Alyce Wachter
5 O’Clock Percussion

Brody Ban
Micah Broekema
Julie Carter
Zoe Casmer
Abigail Daley
Maelee Darling
Liana Garza
Daniel Gong
Ryan Handeland
Lemuel Holtzman
Esther Hou
Amelia Koester
Riley Kubicki
Gianna Lee
Ben Littel
Jinny Pattanakul
Levi Rausch
Lucas Rimpel
Oliver Saugstad
Sylvia Scott
Jocelyn Uttech
Ellie Wierer
Woodwind Ensemble

Emaline Bauer
Ella Bollmeier
Anaya Britton
Zoe Casmer
Abbie Daley
Maelee Darling
Avery Derkowski
Adele Faust
Ben Furhmann
Elina Hofer
Ruth Konop
Jack LIndenberg
Vivian Liu
Isabella Luebke
Talia Meister
Ruth Redfield
Jack Robison
Gabe Rose
Aaron Seavert
Julia Seeger
Gabe Uttech
Jocelyn Uttech
Alyce Wachter
Ellie Wierer
Saxophone Ensemble

Avery Derkowski
Gabe Uttech
Adele Faust
Alyce Wachter
Brody Ban
Grace Moudry
Lemmy Holtzman
Maelee Darling
Oliver Schapekahm
Riley Kubicki
String Ensemble

Amaya Davis-Smith
Simon Doerr
Korbinian Forstner
Eisley Gallun
Josiah Iwinski
Maximos Maltezos
Grace Pufahl
Fiona Qi
Ella Schaefer
Kiah Schuessler
Joshua Seavert
Anna Shen
Aubrey Snodie
Brenna Valerio
Elaine Wang
Laris Xiao
Noelle Young
Wind Ensemble

Flute
Anaya Britton
Alyce Wachter
Laris Xiao

Oboe
Ella Bollmeier

Violin
Conner Poston

Viola
Ty’Quarius Robinson

Clarinet
Talia Meister
Mrs. Rachel Rimpel
Olivia Trissel

Alto Saxophone
Atticus Delwiche
Avery Derkowski
Allen Zhu

Tenor Saxophone
Brody Ban
Jackson Lindenberg

Bari Saxophone
Ben Furhmann
Aaron Seavert

Trumpet
Eliana Enslen
Annalise Kuehn
Henry Schapekahm
French Horn
Alex Enslen
Isabelle Hatzung

Trombone
Julie Carter
Mary Joy Hahm
Vaughn Miller

Baritone
Joey Gu

Tuba
Amos Ebeling

Percussion
Kaden Archer
Abram Baade
Zuzanna Eft
Alejandro Gutierrez
Jayden Kim
Thomas Moldenhauer
Kadence Ross
Stone Smith
Aaron Sun
Symphonic Band

Flute
Addison Hansen
Elina Hofer
Ruth Redfield
Gabriel Rose

Oboe
Emaline Bauer
Abigail Daley
Ruth Konop
Eleanor Wierer

Violin
Anna Shen

Clarinet
Nora Abramowski
Zoe Casmer
Eliza Shiels
Jocelyn Uttech

Bassoon
Isabella Luebke
Jackson Robison

Cello
Korbinian Forstner
Joelle Steiner

Alto Saxophone
Lemuel Hotlzman
Phoommiphat Jompon
Grace Moudry
Morgan Schachtschneider
Oliver Schapekahm
Gabriel Uttech

Tenor Saxophone
Adele Faust

Bari Saxophone
Riley Kubicki

Trumpet
Reina Ebeling
Brady Gottschalk
Lily Hatzung
Allison Hermanson
Tyler Poston
Nathan Redfield
Hayden Rouse
Sophie Wendorf

French Horn
Micah Broekema

Trombone
Thomas Doerr
Isaiah Harris
Nyla Jones
Kellan O’Connell
Lucas Rimpel

Baritone
Nicodemus Carter
Casey Schwall
Madeline Trissel

Tuba
Micah Buschkopf
String Bass
Maximos Maltezos

Percussion
Landon Bergemann
Daniel Gong
Mason Goodger
Ryan Handelan
Mallory Harrington
Lincoln Hatzung
Esther Hou
Levi Konop
Jacob Nault
Jinny Pattanakul
Levi Rausch
Oliver Saugstad
Joshua Seavert
Bethany Stroh
Elaine Wang